North Macedonia investigates 20 websites for spreading hate against Bulgaria

The Ministry of Interior and the Agency for National Security (ANS) in North Macedonia have launched a criminal investigation against 20 websites, pages, and profiles on Facebook and Instagram. The suspicions suggest that these platforms are being used for the organized dissemination of hate speech and incitement of tension related to the bilateral relations between Skopje and Sofia.

The focus of the investigation is on content that, in the recent period, has aimed to fuel mutual insults and radicalize the public debate between citizens of the two countries. The methods of financing some of these media platforms are also under suspicion.

The police in Skopje confirmed the information that the investigation is directed towards the commission of a crime related to the dissemination of racist and xenophobic materials via the internet. If evidence of a crime is established, the authorities will take the appropriate legal measures.

The context of the investigation is influenced by the tension surrounding the statements of Prime Minister Christos Mitsoski about an organized Bulgarian campaign aimed at promoting unacceptable things. In response to this, Viktor Stoyanov, Chairman of the Macedonia Foundation, accused the government in North Macedonia of preparing illegal persecutions against independent media. He claims that the goal is to close the only free platforms and to strengthen the language of hate against Bulgaria, while state media systematically exert pressure.